Fantasy Impact: The length of the contract hasn't been announced yet, but this signing has massive fantasy implications. With Dion Lewis leaving to the Titans in free agency, there's a lot of work suddenly opened up in the Patriots backfield. While Burkhead was healthy last year, the Patriots gave him goal-line carries and he gave them no reason to stop doing so. Injuries piled up as the year went on, leading them to shift the focus to Lewis. While the Patriots are expected to retain Mike Gillislee, Burkhead is the one who's locked into a role. He should be considered an upside RB2/RB3-type option in fantasy football right now, though it's very possible the Patriots add another running back.

Fantasy Impact: This is a huge get for the Giants offensive line that has continually had a turnstile at left tackle. Solder comes from protecting Tom Brady, a job that comes with plenty of stress, though he did it at a Pro Bowl level. He'll now be asked to protect Eli Manning's blindside, though this move does offer the Giants some flexibility in the NFL Draft. You have to wonder if they draft Baker Mayfield or Josh Rosen with the No. 2 overall pick after signing running back Jonathan Stewart to a two-year deal yesterday.

Dion Lewis intends to sign a four-year deal with the Tennessee Titans, according to Adam Schefter. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: That groan you hear is the collective disappointment from fantasy owners, as Lewis's expected deal with the Titans has a significant negative impact on Derrick Henry. The two will likely split work a la DeMarco Murray and Henry, hurting both backs' fantasy value. Each will obviously still be in play as weekly starts, but the deal is not great news for either back's fantasy stock.

NFL Insider Ian Rapoport is reporting that Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler is expected to sign a five-year, $61 million deal, with $30 million guaranteed with the Tennessee Titans. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: The Titans now have two former Patriots cornerbacks to go with their head coach Mike Vrabel, who is himself a former Patriots linebacker, as Butler joins Logan Ryan in the Tennessee secondary. Based on the contract being reported, it would seem that Butler's stock was not hurt at all by being inexplicably benched in the Super Bowl against the Eagles. With Vrabel running a similar defense to the one Butler played in for New England, it should be a fairly smooth transition.

Fantasy Impact: Although Amendola won't return to the Patriots, he's remaining in the AFC East. The Dolphins are expected to sign him on Wednesday. Entering his age-32 season, Amendola is coming off his best season since 2015 while avoiding any significant injuries. The Dolphins have the new slot receiver who should be productive if his health remains intact.

ESPN's Field Yates is reporting the New England Patriots have released TE Martellus Bennett. (Source: Field Yates on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: In a short period following Michael Bennett's trade to the Eagles, the Patriots have released his brother, Martellus. I'm a bit surprised by Bennett's release. Not only is Rob Gronkowski's future in New England uncertain -- while he has toyed with the idea of retirement, I fully believe he'll return at least for 2018 -- the elite tight end is an injury risk. And while Bennett is coming off multiple injuries, he was the next best tight end on the Patriots roster in terms of reliability. Let's face it, Dwayne Allen's acquisition last offseason was a bust to say the least. As a result of moving on from Bennett, the Patriots are in the tight end market this offseason. With the Seahawks expected to move on from Jimmy Graham, it wouldn't surprise me if he landed in New England. But if they don't land Graham, expect them to pursue players like Trey Burton in free agency or even Eric Ebron via trade.

Fantasy Impact: Not only are the Patriots exercising Britt's option, retaining him for 2018, but per Rapoport, they are expecting "big things" out of him. Britt, who will turn 30 on September 19, is entering his 10th NFL season, but is coming off of his worst statistical campaign since 2013. Perhaps with a full offseason in New England's system paired with enough playing time to make an impact, Britt could be worth late-round fantasy consideration in 2018. Though I'd only suggest it in deeper formats.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is reporting that New England Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski is expected to return for the 2018 season. (Source: Ian Rapoort on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: "The expectation is that Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski will return for 2018 after pondering his future," Rapoport said Wednesday via the NFL Network. "He may never make a grand announcement, but the belief is entertainment opportunities (acting WWE) will wait." Yes, Gronkowski is being solicited by the WWE for a post-football career. Gronkowski even went as far as tweeting a photo of him in the ring at a WWE event last year with a cryptic caption suggesting that he has a future in the ring. However, although he may very well be employed in the WWE one day, I don't think it will be anytime soon. Expect Gronkowski to be atop fantasy football draft boards at TE for 2018.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has elected against taking the vacant head-coaching position for the Indianapolis Colts. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: Although he was expected to accept the vacant head-coaching job in Indianapolis, McDaniels ultimately declined the offer to remain with the Patriots. Per Schefter, Patriots owner Robert Kraft has been in contact with McDaniels in the past 48 hours and agreed to “sweeten” McDaniels’ contract to keep him in New England. The Colts are back to square one.

James White rushed seven times for 45 yards and a touchdown in New England's Super Bowl loss last night, adding two receptions for another 21 yards.

Fantasy Impact: White got a lot more run than Dion Lewis in this one. However, that was game plan specific and likely not a sign of things to come in New England. White is under team control through 2020 and will once again be a PPR flex option in fantasy drafts next season.

Brandin Cooks had one catch for 23 yards and one carry for one yard before leaving the game with a concussion after a hit by Malcolm Jenkins in the first quarter.

Fantasy Impact: It was a tough way to end the season for Cooks who could have been a difference maker for the Patriots with his speed. He should be ready to go for next season and should be considered a top 15 WR in fantasy.

Tom Brady completed 28 of 48 passes for 505 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions during the Patriots' 41-33 loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl LII on Sunday. He also rushed once for six yards and had a key fumble on a strip-sack with 2:09 remaining.

Fantasy Impact: Brady continues to defy odds as he won the league MVP and made his eighth Super Bowl at age 40. He goes into next season as one of the top five QBs in fantasy but owners should have a backup plan if they draft the veteran quarterback.

Chris Hogan caught two of his four targets for 20 yards against the Jaguars on Sunday.

Fantasy Impact: Even with Rob Gronkowski out of the game for the second half, Hogan simply was not heavily involved, taking a back seat to both Brandin Cooks and Danny Amendola. He continues to struggle to get back on the same page as Tom Brady, but will obviously look to do so prior to the Super Bowl in two weeks.

Fantasy Impact: Gillislee, who hasn't played since Week 16 of the regular season, will not play Sunday with a knee injury. However, with James White, Rex Burkhead and Dion Lewis all expected to be active, Gillislee, who was a healthy scratch for a handful of games this season, would likely be a healthy scratch against the Jaguars even if he didn't draw an injury designation this week for his knee.

Stephen Gostkowski made five extra points and missed his only field goal attempt in Saturday's 35-14 divisional-round win over the Titans.

Fantasy Impact: Gostkowski's only missed field goal attempt was a 53-yard try at the end of the first half. The veteran kicker is always money in the playoffs and should be used in DFS formats next Sunday when the Patriots play in the AFC championship.

Phillip Dorsett caught three of his five targets for 26 yards in Sunday's 26-6 win over the Jets.

Fantasy Impact: Dorsett had a season-high in targets and tied his high in catches with three. The 24-year-old wide receiver has not been utilized most of the season and should be avoided by fantasy owners doing playoff DFS lineups.

Fantasy Impact: Mitchell has been on the injured reserve all season and it did not look like he would make it back this season. If Mitchell does get activated before the Week 17 matchup with the Jets he would probably only see limited playing time and is not worth owning in fantasy.

Dwayne Allen caught two passes on two targets for 24 yards as the Patriots defeated the Bills in Week 16 action on Sunday.

Fantasy Impact: Allen equaled his high for catches this season with two. That tells you how much he is involved in the passing game. Allen has been an afterthought and is not worth owning in any fantasy format.

Fantasy Impact: Cannon has been a key part of the offensive line but the Patriots have been able to effectively replace him. The veteran offensive lineman has been out since Week 8 and La'Adrian Waddle and Cameron Fleming have been filling in. This should have no impact on anyone for fantasy purposes.

Brian Hoyer came in during the fourth quarter and completed three passes on three attempts for 37 yards as the Patriots defeated the Broncos on Sunday.

Fantasy Impact: In his first game back as a Patriot, Hoyer got to see some late-game action as the Patriots had a big lead. It won't be often we see the 32-year-old quarterback on the field for the team as Tom Brady obviously has a lock on the job.